Objective
For the connection of satellite wells with a control production platform a combined electrical/hydraulic umbilical without fabric joints or junction boxes is to be developed. For safety reasons it is necessary to manufacture the umbilicals in unbroken length up to 10 km or longer. Whereas the electrical, optical and hydraulic elements can be manufactured cost effectively using the production facilities generally available today, a new method of stranding must be used to produce such combined electric/hydraulic umbilicals.
In this project, a version of a stranding method with alternating stranding direction (also known as SZ-stranding) which has been known for some considerable time is to be developed further.
The demand for this stranding method is to strand the sensitive and expensive elements in such a way that the quality of these elements will not decrease, neither during the stranding process nor in operation.
In this project, a version of a stranding method with alternating stranding direction (also known as SZ-stranding) which has been known for some considerable time is to be developed further.
To date, this method has been used primarily only for stranding of smaller gauge telecommunications cables, switchboard cables and control cables. More recently, this method has also been used in the production of optical fibres telecommunications cables.
For the production of large-volume combined umbilicals, the method using the tubular stranding process would appear to be the most promising under the technical and economic aspects.
The objectives of this project will be to further develop this stranding method and to employ the method for the production of combined electric/hydraulic umbilicals. It is important to obtain further information on the mechanical behaviour of the stranding elements at the points at which the stranding changes direction.
The project will be performed in three parts :
1. Planning and design of an electric/hydraulic umbilical.
2. Production of an electric/hydraulic umbilical.
3. Theoretical and experimental examination of the electric /hydraulic umbilical.
1. PLANNING AND DESIGN OF AN ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC UMBILICAL
The demands made on an electric/hydraulic control umbilical with regard to the transport, energy and data transmission properties were discussed with the operators of production platforms and satellite wells.
The umbilical will be designed in line with these demands.
The requirements are the intended application, the laying and removal are to be taken into consideration.
The characteristics of the chosen stranding method, in particular here the behaviour of the stranding elements with their differing elasticities (high-voltage conductors, hydraulic hoses and optical fibres) at the reversal points, are to be determined in a preliminary experiment. The number of lays in each direction, the lengths and positions of the reversal points, the type of lacing, etc. are to be optimized.
2.
PRODUCTION OF AN ELECTRIC/HYDRAULIC UMBILICAL
After evaluation of the results of the preliminary experiment and the detailed design documentation, a test umbilical will be produced.
3. THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL EXAMINATION OF THE ELECTRIC /HYDRAULIC UMBILICAL
During the course of the project, existing theoretical models of the umbilical used to calculate the mechanical properties must be adapted to incorporate the particular characteristics of this method of stranding. The aim is to be able to determine the mechanical properties of the umbilical as early as the draft stage.
The theoretical models must be examined on existing and/or modified testing facilities. Proof must be obtained that this umbilical is able to withstand the stresses to which it is exposed during laying, trenching and pulling into the production facilities as well as during its subsequent operation.
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DEM - Demonstration contractsCoordinator
26954 Nordenham
Germany